MAPUTO (Mozambique) - 2022 is set to enter the history books as the year that marks the first edition of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women for the first time since 2019.

Over the last two years, no women's clubs competition took place in Africa due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which derailed several public events across the globe.

This article comes as your ultimate guide to the 2022 FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women, and brings you some of the important things that you need to know about the event.

This is a FIBA Africa-run annual competition that brings together some of the best women's basketball clubs from all corners of the African continent.

WHEN AND WHERE?

The tournament is expected to take place from Friday, December 9 until Saturday December 17 in the Mozambican capital of Maputo. 

All games are scheduled for the Eduardo Mondlane University Gym.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

This is a ten-team competition. The participating teams are as follows: Costa do Sol (Mozambique), Ferroviario de Maputo (Mozambique), ASC Ville Dakar (Senegal), Energie BBC (Benin), Overdose Up Station (Cameroon), CNSS (DR Congo), Alexandria Sporting Club (Egypt), Kenya Ports Authority (Kenya), Interclube (Angola), and Armee Patriotique du Rwanda (Rwanda).

HOW TO WATCH THE GAMES

According to the Local Organising Committe of the tournament, fans wanting to attend games at Eduardo Mondlane University Gym, will be able to purchase tickets in the venue's box office, and through online platform Easy Ticket.

All games will be streamed live on FIBA's YOUTUBE CHANEL.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

There won't be shortage of talented players heading to the Maputo-showpiece.

Ingvild Mucauro

However, some of the biggest names to keep an eye on include reigning MVP Ingivild Mucauro (Costa do Sol), Angolan international player Italee Lucas (Interclube) who lifted the MVP award in 2013 and remains a fan favorite across Africa, Anabela Cossa - a prolific three-point shooter, and skilful point guard Reem Moussa (Alexandria Sporting), 

WHO ARE THE FAVORITES?

Winners of the last two editions of the tournament in 2018 and 2019, Ferroviario de Maputo emerge one of the frontrunners alongside five-time African champions Interclube, Costa do Sol and Sporting Alexandria.

CAN MAPUTO TEAMS PREVAIL AT HOME?

Playing in front of the home fans doesn't necessarily ensure a place in the top step of the podium. Maputo has hosted the tournament four times over the last two decades, but local teams only won the trophy twice in 2007 (Desportivo de Maputo) and 2018 (Ferroviario de Maputo).  Interestingly enough, five-time winners Interclube de Angola have never won the Africa Champions Cup for Women at home. 

The Angolan National Police-funded team won their five titles in Bizarte (Tunisia/2010), Lagos (Nigeria/2011), Meknes (Morocco/2013), Sfax (Tunisia/2014) and Maputo (Mozambique/2016).

THREE-PEAT?

Eyes will on Ferroviario de Maputo. Winning two straight Africa Champions Cup for Women is nothing new, but winning a three-peat has never happened in the history of the tournament, but the Mozambican Rail Ways-funded team will try to rewriter history.

WINNING COACH

Among the ten head coaches expected in Maputo this week, Ferroviario de Maputo's Nasir Sale emerges a unique case.

Nasir Sale

The Mozambican play-caller is the only coach to have won three titles of the tournament in 2007 and 2008 - at the helm of Desportivo de Maputo and 2012, when he inspired Liga Desportiva to the throne of the Africa Champions Cup for Women in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

INTERCLUBE

Inter Clube de Luanda are the most successful team in the history of the competition, having won the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women five times in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

ASC VILLE DE DAKAR 

Heavyweight at national team level competitions, Senegal hasn't been represented in the Africa Champions Cup for Women since 2010 when Saint-Louis Basket Club carried the country's flag in the tournament.

Now, it remains to be seen if ASC Ville de Dakar can make leave their mark in the tournament.

FIBA